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Helmets
Posted 6-26-2008
By
Sputnik
- Chairman of Texas Motorcycle Rights Association
I read an interview in the Daily News that Senator Carona will introduce a helmet
Bill during the upcoming session. He is Chairman of the Transportation and
national security committee. The article states his concern for our safety and
the cost of treatment for the tax payer. He introduced this Bill last session
and in his own words it was defeated soundly.
Here is my letter to the Editor:
This is my response to Mr. Paschenko concerning his Article
Mr. Paschenko;
Senator Carona’s desire comes from an attitude problem rather than any
facts. He professes to want the helmet law reinstated to save lives. His
committee took our Dedicated Funds, which only motorcyclist pay into, and
moved it from the 402 status to the 601. This allows DPS to take 25% of
our budget for their use. This amounts to a $250,000 loss to our training
budget.
We asked for a law to increase the punishment for those who cause a
collision resulting in death or serious injury due to inattentive driving.
Currently if a driver fails to yield the right of way and injures or kills
someone they pay only a small fine and go home. This Bill was killed.
Insurance companies reserve the right to not pay benefits if you are
injured in an accident while participating in a dangerous activity
including riding a motorcycle. We offered a Bill to correct this problem
and it too was killed. Thus we have to carry insurance that may not pay
benefits if we are injured on our motorcycles.
Maryland introduced a strong Motorcycle Awareness campaign in their state,
cutting the number of accidents by 50% in the first year. We have argued
for the same type program in this state for years and have been rebuffed.
So much for the Senator’s claim that he is concerned about rider safety.
The legislature established a Traumatic Injury Fund to help pay for
injuries not covered by insurance or patient pay. The funding comes from
added cost of traffic tickets and other fines. The same committee which
moved our Training Fund also moved this fund out of the dedicated class
along with several other dedicated funds. This was done to show a balanced
budget when one did not actually exist. So much for his concern about
cost.
I met several times with the Senator’s Staff and staff members from Baylor
College of Medicine during the last session concerning his Bill. We were
given the cost of motorcycle injuries to the hospital but they couldn’t
give us the same cost breakdown on those injured in auto accidents saying
that information was not available. We again expounded on the benefit of a
strong Motorcycle Awareness Program and were told by the representatives
from Baylor that if we would accept the Bill they would pay for an
awareness campaign. How would that save them money.
We will once again oppose his Bill and soundly defeat it. This isn’t about
wind in your hair. It is about the constitution which many government officials refuse
to accept as law.
Respectfully,
Sputnik
State Chair
Texas Motorcycle Rights Association
512-971-6777
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